News Briefs

Posted on by Larry Bartel
David Myers (left) and Kevin King talk with the Hesston College Disaster Management Leadership class about traits of an effective leader.
David Myers (left) and Kevin King talk with the Hesston College Disaster Management Leadership class about traits of an effective leader.

David Myers, director of the Department of Homeland Security’s Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships, visited Hesston College March 18 to 20 to discuss partnerships between the government and faith-based and other non-profit organizations with the Hesston College campus and wider local community. Myers, an ordained Mennonite pastor, was appointed to his position by President Obama in 2009. Kevin King, executive director of Mennonite Disaster Service, joined Myers in several of his presentations.

Hesston College hosted its annual Grandparents Days March 24 and 25. The event drew 69 grandparents from six states. Grandparents attended sessions on “Yesteryear’s Farm Life” led by former faculty Dwight Roth. Students in Kevin Wilder’s Developmental Psychology class also interviewed guests on the topic “Adolescence of Yesterday and Today.” Students and their grandparents attended a banquet where students shared memories about their grandparents.

The Student Committee for the Erb Hall Renovation Project organized an April 11 labor auction to raise funds for the renovation of the 42-year-old dormitory. Students volunteered to donate labor for miscellaneous household work. The auction raised about $4,000.

New faculty and staff for the 2011-12 year include Jason Barrett-Fox, English and writing faculty; Dr. Rebecca Barrett-Fox, sociology faculty; Brent Brockmueller ’01, admissions counselor; Marissa King ’05, education faculty; Lindsey Mason, Erb Hall resident director; Lucas Mason ’07, admissions counselor; Emily Miller, Larks Nest manager and campus activities co-director; Rachel Swartzendruber ’00 Miller, vice president of Admissions and Financial Aid; Rob Ramseyer, baseball coach and campus activities co-director; Michael Smalley ’07, Kauffman Court resident director; Carson Stutzman ’09, admissions counselor; and Dr. Brent Yoder ’98, registrar.

Hesston College Facilities staff Tim Goering and Forrest Miller and student Curtis Denlinger of Perkasie, Pa. move dressers from Erb Hall central and west.
Hesston College Facilities staff Tim Goering and Forrest Miller and student Curtis Denlinger of Perkasie, Pa. move dressers from Erb Hall central and west. A semi-load of the dorm furniture was donated to non-profit organizations in Waco, Texas. Pictured in the background is Zach Baumgartner of Hesston, Kan.

A semi truckload of dorm furniture from Erb Hall central and west arrived in Waco, Texas, May 9. The college donated the furniture to about 20 Waco-area non-profit organizations in preparation for the summer renovation of the dormitory. Several nonprofits in Newton and Wichita, Kan., received some of the donated furniture as well.

Bel Canto Singers went on a two-week tour of the West Coast May 8 to 20 following commencement. The 19-voice choir performed 10 concerts in Nebraska, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona and New Mexico, including the historic Old Church in Portland, Ore. The choir is under the direction of Bradley Kauffman. Ken Rodgers ’85 provided accompaniment.